Tax season is upon us and I would like to provide the citizens of Pulaski County some information regarding Real Estate and Personal Property taxes. Pulaski County and the individual cities tax the citizens within their parameters. It is important to remember that the county and city are separate entities that tax and collect separately. If you reside within the city limits of any of the cities in Pulaski County, you must pay real estate and personal property taxes to the city in which you reside, as well as the county. Real estate taxes are for land, homes, buildings, etc.; personal property encompasses vehicles, trailers, livestock, boats, and oftentimes manufactured homes.

County tax statements for both Real Estate and Personal Property are mailed during the early part of November in accordance with RSMo 52.230. If you do not receive a statement by the first of December, please contact our office at 573-774-4711; failure to receive a statement does not relieve the taxpayer of the responsibility of any tax liability nor does it allow the Collector to remove any late charges assessed on the tax statements (RSMo 52.240, RSMo 139.100).

Why didn’t I receive a Personal Property and/or a Real Estate Tax statement?

You will not receive a personal property tax statement if you did not complete an assessment form (green printed form that lists the personal property owned on January 1 of that year) and return it to the assessor’s office. Failure to complete and return an assessment form will not relieve you from the responsibility of eventually having to pay the taxes with penalties from both the assessor’s and collector’s offices. You may contact the assessor’s office at 573-774-4717 regarding the assessment form.

You will not receive a real estate tax statement if you purchased a home during the year and the transfer of information was not submitted to the assessor’s office. If you purchased land and/or a home during the year you should have made arrangements with the previous owner as to who would be responsible for paying the real estate taxes. Usually the purchaser is the person who pays the taxes. If there are delinquent taxes due on the property you purchased you will be required to pay the delinquent taxes before the current taxes can be paid. Another reason you may not receive a statement is if your real estate taxes are paid by your mortgage company through your escrow account; please check your escrow account balance or contact your mortgage company to make sure your taxes are paid in a timely manner.

If your mailing address changes it is important you notify us of the change so statements and receipts are mailed to the correct address.

When are my Real Estate and Personal Property taxes due?

Your 2007 annual tax statement may be paid November 1 thru December 31 without any interest and penalty for current taxes. Penalties begin to accrue on January 1 at the rate of approximately 2% per month accumulative to 18% annually. It is to your advantage to pay your taxes in a timely manner to avoid having to pay penalties in addition to your taxes.
What are acceptable forms of payment?

In addition to coming to the collector’s office to make your payment, we are excited to offer the option of paying your taxes online or via the toll-free number. You may pay your taxes online by going to either of these two Web sites www.officialpayments.com or www.pulaskicollector.com and clicking the link, Pay Taxes Online. The number to call for paying by credit card or E-check is 1-877-847-5977. The other acceptable forms of payment are cashiers checks, money orders, personal checks and cash. If you mail your payment to our office make sure your payment is for the exact amount and your envelope is postmarked no later than December 31. A payment sent with the incorrect payment amount and/or a payment postmarked after December 31 but does not include the penalty fees must be returned to the taxpayer.

The cards are no longer issued to verify payment of Personal Property taxes; they have been replaced with a paid receipt that indicates the amount and date paid as well as the specific vehicles listed on the assessment form. Many taxpayers appreciate the receipt over the card due to the size, making it easier to find and keep for itemization on tax returns.